United’s predicament is a desperately serious one. Saturday’s FA Cup defeat was damaging, but more because it pushed supporters who have seemed to call a fragile truce after last season’s open revolt closer to breaking point. More worrying is the number of Premier League matches that have passed without Newcastle converted better displays into points.

Newcastle don’t seem to have enough to haul themselves out of the mire at the moment: where’s the next win (or even goal) coming from? They need something to change the mood and the transformative power of signing players has to be harnessed now. United’s targets are believed to be significant ones, and we understand there should be movement in the next week.

The pressure on Lee Charnley is significant. His reign so far has seen Newcastle plummet from mid-table to bottom of the league and it can’t go on for much longer.

United are seeking salvation in the market. It’s a very, very big seven days for the club.